Category Archives: Bay Area

Top 5 Valentine’s Day Restaurants in SF

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Yes, yes, there’s no question that Valentine’s Day is a much maligned holiday, with adjectives like “consumerist” and “cheesy” thrown around left and right. I understand that, and if you’re of that mindset, this list is not for you. But, if you are one of the people who likes – or even, loves – this day, and likes the idea that there’s nothing wrong with celebrating love and the closest people in your life, please read on. These are my picks for restaurants to spend Valentine’s Day…

FIREFLY
Located on the quiet side of 24th Street in Noe Valley, Firefly has a rustic chic vibe, with a billowing, fabric roof, Mason jar candle holders, and reserved elegance. For Valentine’s Day, they’re going to be serving their regular a la carte menu, but with some special items from both their chef and pastry chef. Also, since Valentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday this year, my guess is they’ll be serving up their incredible fried chicken (only served on Tuesdays) – which magically manages to be light while being , you know, fried chicken.

FIFTH FLOOR
For those who want all the bells and whistles, Fifth Floor – aptly named for being on the fifth floor of Hotel Palomar – is offering some major decadence. Starting last week, the restaurant is serving a seven-course menu, which includes dishes like Foie Gras Torchon, Celery Root Agnolotti and Poached Maine Lobster. For the special day itself, Fifth Floor is bumping up their menu to a nine-course tasting menu, giving you and your honey plenty of time to spoil yourselves.

L’ARDOISE
If you’re looking for something more understated, try L’Ardoise (the French word for chalkboard). Sitting quaintly on Noe and Henry, this beautiful and intimate restaurant combines neighborhood charm with heightened ambiance, packaging these traits together with authentic French food. For Valentine’s Day, they are serving a special three-course menu, which includes such options as Tiger Prawn Raviole, Braised Venison Shoulder, Caramelized Tarte Tatin… I’m going to stop because it’s making my mouth water!

FRASCATI
The charm of Frascati begins at its location. Perched on the leafy corner of Hyde and Green, where cable cars rumble past, this restaurant feels like quintessential San Francisco. And since San Francisco is the most romantic city in the world (it is), this is a great beginning to a dining experience. Add to that, delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes, an extensive wine list (hello, champagne!) and a menu that says, “Cell phones in use will be confiscated and made into soup,” and you are guaranteed a romantic dining experience.

BI-RITE MARKET
Okay, no, this is not a restaurant. But, for those who believe that nothing is more romantic than a home-cooked meal, Bi-Rite Market is a perfect place to buy the goods. With its high-quality meat, cheese, fish, ice cream and prepared foods (if you want to cheat), Bi-Rite Market will start you on your path to creating a special meal for the evening. Don’t forget to buy a pretty bouquet of flowers on your way out.

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While the above are my picks for romantic meals, here are a couple of runner-ups for other kinds of Valentine’s Days…

VELVET CANTINA
This is my pick if you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with girlfriends – or, as Leslie Knope calls it, “Gal-entine’s Day.” With pitchers of delicious margaritas, a fun atmosphere, and tasty Mexican food, you’re guaranteed an excellent night out with your friends, who, of course, are your other loved ones. (Men, you are also free to take this suggestion!)

PIZZERIA DELFINA
My choice if you have children in tow. Pizzeria Delfina delivers the best of all worlds: delicious pizza, a good selection of wine, and a casual, yet graceful, atmosphere. And since it has two locations (one in the Mission and one in Pacific Heights), you have two shots at celebrating your family with style and fresh mozzarella. (A bit cheesy? Sorry. I can’t stop…)

15 ROMOLO
No, you’re right. This is mainly a bar. But, it’s a very good bar, which is why it’s my pick for the place to go if you’ve recently gone through a break-up. You won’t care about cute couples when you’re sipping on 15 Romolo’s Pimm’s Cups. Also, they do have a small but excellent bar menu in case you need to eat something.

I hope that one of the above restaurants suits your Valentine’s Day needs. And if they are already booked up (as these wonderful restaurants are sure to be in demand), they’ll serve wonderfully any other day of the week!

What do you think of Alexa’s recommendations? Let us know in the comments sections or via our Facebook and Twitter accounts!

Photos courtesy of Firefly and L’Ardoise.

Restaurant Review: My Tofu House

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Full disclosure – I am obsessed with Korean food. It’s partly because I lived there for two years and partly because it’s insanely delicious and unlike any other cuisine out there.

Of course, it’s not the nicest cuisine to look at:

You’re so delicious, I don’t care that you’re ugly!

 If San Francisco has a Korea Town, then the Richmond is it – that is, if a Korea Town was spread out over a radius of several square miles. Luckily for me, many excellent Korean restaurants are within walking distance from my house, and a notable entrant at the top of the pantheon is My Tofu House, a restaurant so Korean that I immediately become overcome with nostalgia as soon as I see the neon lights.

Inside, there are booths, usually filled with chattering groups of Koreans, with dishes of banchan laid out in front of them. My Tofu House specializes in soondubu jiggae, a spicy soft tofu soup. You can get many different versions, and it’s served bubbling in a stone pot and honestly – it looks a little like the devil’s cauldron. You then drop in a raw egg and stir it in vigorously. The portions are huge and the soups are a great deal at just over $10 – this includes a delightful range of side dishes and plenty of rice. You will not go hungry here. Continue reading →

Restaurant Review: Cafe Bunn Mi

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It’s winter time in San Francisco and that means…that the Richmond and Sunset neighborhoods aren’t foggy. For these few, short months, seasonal equilibrium reigns and I think it is an excellent time for folks to venture to my part of the city. To celebrate being fog-free, I will be writing a series of reviews showcasing the best eating of the Richmond and Sunset. I shall wear my stretchiest jeans.

Cafe Bunn Mi on Clement Street.

Cafe Bunn Mi opened in the summer of 2011 to little fanfare, but has gradually built up a loyal following thanks to its clean, pretty space, friendly staff and its slightly nontraditional take on banh mi. It also serves pho, rice plates, and other dishes, but really…go here for the sandwiches. The freshly baked bread is crisp, but not dry, and it has the right amount of give for an absolute stuffing, which is how Cafe Bunn Mi generously serves its sandwiches.

Fish banh mi. 

I am partial to the fish banh mi, which features breaded sole, perfectly cooked, Vietnamese coleslaw and a ridiculous amount of cilantro. I am one of the genetically cursed who cannot bear even the sight of cilantro curling out of my food, so luckily it was in big, easy-to-remove pieces. The pork belly sandwich was a tender, flavor-packed bomb of cubes of garlicky pork belly, boiled egg and coleslaw. Continue reading →

In Defense of the East Bay: Part 2

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A Little More Oaktown Lovin’

Well, it seems that since the last time we took to the cityseekr blog to defend the East Bay, it has blown up! The New York Times recently named Oakland the #5 (out of 45) place to go in the world in 2012, sandwiched right in between tourism powerhouses London and Tokyo (check out the article here). Did I mention that was OAKLAND that made the list and not San Francisco? So yes, I know this column is supposed to be about the entire East Bay, and I promise that will still be the case, but it seems clear that this month it’s time to specifically honor what the Huffington Post is calling “the coolest new kid in the country,” my and MC Hammer’s hometown, Oakland.

Photo by gerbache, CC by 2.0

Now many people upon first hearing this newest Times designation say, “Really? Oakland? Why?” And the periodical will answer you: it’s all about the downtown renaissance. Oakland likes to consume. For several years now, Downtown Oakland, and really many other areas of the city as well, has been revitalizing, especially when it comes to the funner things in life: food, booze, art and music.  In their little blurb the New York Times mentions some of the more exciting dining and drinking newcomers, so we’ll be skipping those here. However, in every category they mention, their examples, while all very recommendable, only scratch the surface of the awesome variety of places to eat, drink and enjoy the artistic and cultural offerings that are really starting to abound in The Town. Yes, Oakland has a Michelin star and all kinds of fancy establishments, but even though this is its newest incarnation, the city’s kitsch and grit are really what make it so unconventionally fun and charming. Really, Oakland is highly successful at having a fantastic collection of places with all kinds of different atmospheres to fit any mood, whim or occasion.

Photo courtesy of Bar Dogwood

The DTO (that’s “Downtown Oakland” to all you non-savvy folk) and Uptown (and of course the rest of the city as well) are brimming over with bars and eateries. If you want to go along the more upscale lines, you could head to Bar Dogwood for one of their specialty cocktails and the main attraction: the Charcuterie and the salty, fatty goodness of cured pork products. And cheese. Don’t forget the cheese.  If cured meat products are your bag, Adesso on Piedmont Avenue wins the crown. The menu includes dozens of different types of house-cured meats. Their happy hour is killer too, as those sitting at the bar get to experience a virtual tasting menu of dishes free of charge. As far as other nice drinking establishments in the area, Make Westing is one of Uptown’s newest additions. Owned by Oakland natives, the bar features two full-sized bocce ball courts inside the bar; folks, they’re the only ones in Oakland who can say that. Continue reading →

Spotlight: Benny Gold

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Striking Gold in the Heart of San Francisco

Streetwear boutique caters to the trendy young gent, carrying graphic t-shirts, button-ups, classic shoes, scarves, jackets, hats, even Benny Gold inscribed gold pens – Benny Gold has you covered from head to toe. Going for the Gold, the line has expanded to also include high quality denim, all natural body soaps, along with Jansport and Benny Gold collabo backpacks.

The concept behind the brand started with a sticker and a dream. Benny began posting stickers around town that said “Stay Gold.” Stay Gold to him is “a reminder that all the ideas and experiences that we hold dear are the real gold inside each of us” (bennygold.com).

Tired of working for other people, a very motivated Benny created a dope label that resides in a modern simplistic store front in the Mission district of San Francisco. Smack dab in the heart of hipsterdom, a more phentermine ideal location for a boutique of this caliber cannot be found. On his quest toward creative freedom, Benny Gold was born, and he has catapulted this brand into a highly sought-after one, not only in SF but worldwide. Continue reading →